Cartwright Waits for the Rock

Although running back Rock Cartwright still wears many hats on special teams, he was expected to have no role in the Redskins' offense this season. Cartwright, a co-captain of special teams, essentially became the No. 4 back when Marcus Mason surprisingly made the opening 53-man roster, and he was pushed further down the depth chart last week when the team re-signed Anthony Alridge. Despite being disappointed, Cartwright accepted the situation and said he would continue to work hard in practice in an effort to be ready on offense if needed. And when the coaching staff unexpectedly called on him Sunday, Cartwright delivered late in the fourth quarter of an embarrassing 19-14 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. With top back Clinton Portis slowed because of sore ankles and a calf injury and primary backup Ladell Betts in need of a breather, Cartwright replaced Betts during the Redskins' next-to-last